JP4793435B2 - Post-processing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a post-processing apparatus that stacks sheets sent from an image forming apparatus to form a sheet bundle and performs binding processing on the formed sheet bundle using a stapler.

  A post-processing apparatus that sequentially stacks sheets sent from the image forming apparatus on a predetermined tray to form a sheet bundle of a predetermined number of sheets, and performs a binding process with a binding needle on the sheet bundle formed using a stapler It has been known.

  A sheet bundle is usually bound at a plurality of locations. For example, when the step of folding the bundle of sheets that have undergone the binding process at the binding position is downstream, the binding process is performed at two positions on the folding line where the folding is performed.

  In order to perform such a binding process, a post-processing device that binds a bundle of sheets at a plurality of locations by a plurality of staplers has been frequently used. However, providing a plurality of staplers has problems in terms of flexibility in changing the binding position and cost.

  In order to cope with such a situation, a post-processing device has been proposed in which a single stapler is moved to perform a binding process at a plurality of locations of a sheet bundle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in such a post-processing apparatus, there is a new problem that accompanies the movement of the stapler, for example, a problem that the stapler may not move to a predetermined binding position due to a step out of the stepping motor used for the stapler moving means. Will occur.

  If the binding process is not performed at a predetermined binding position set in advance, there is a risk of causing inconvenience when performing the next post-process, for example, a half-fold process, as well as quality problems.

  Therefore, the control in the post-processing apparatus that moves the stapler as described above is performed when the binding process at the predetermined binding position is not correctly executed or when it is determined that the binding process is not executed, and the binding process is interrupted. An operation stop signal was sent to the forming apparatus.

As a result, each time such inconvenience occurs, the user must take necessary countermeasures for the stopped post-processing apparatus and image forming apparatus and restart the process. The efficiency was significantly reduced.
JP 2003-334803 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described situation, and an object of the present invention is to form an image formed by a post-processing device and an image forming device that move a single stapler to perform binding processing at a plurality of locations of a sheet bundle. The purpose is to prevent a decrease in the operating rate of the system.

  The above-mentioned subject is achieved by realizing the following invention.

1. In a post-processing apparatus including a binding processing unit that stacks sheets sent from an image forming apparatus to form a sheet bundle and hits binding needles at a plurality of positions of the sheet bundle with a movable stapler.
A binding position detecting means for detecting whether or not the stapler is in a preset binding position that is a position for hitting the binding needle;
Based on the detection signal sent from the binding position detection means, it is determined whether or not the first binding position is the preset binding position after the first binding process, and is not the preset binding position. And a control unit that controls the binding processing unit so as to send the sheet bundle downstream of the binding processing unit without performing subsequent binding processing. Processing equipment.

2. The controller is
After the last binding process of the sheet bundle is completed, a paper feed permission signal for permitting the image forming apparatus to feed the sheet to the post-processing device is issued;
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the first binding process is performed at a position that is not a preset binding position, the paper feed permission signal is output after the first binding process is completed. Processing equipment.

3. In a post-processing apparatus including a binding processing unit that stacks sheets sent from an image forming apparatus to form a sheet bundle and hits binding needles at a plurality of positions of the sheet bundle with a movable stapler.
A binding position detecting means for detecting whether or not the stapler is in a preset binding position that is a position for hitting the binding needle;
Based on the detection signal sent from the binding position detection means, it is determined whether or not the first binding position is the preset binding position, and the determination result that the preset binding position is not obtained is obtained. If
When the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle is equal to or larger than a preset number, the first binding process is performed and the subsequent binding process is not performed, and when the number is less than the preset number, the binding process is performed. And a control unit that controls the binding processing unit so as to send the sheet bundle downstream of the binding processing unit.

4). The controller is
After the last binding process of the sheet bundle is completed, a paper feed permission signal for permitting the image forming apparatus to feed the sheet to the post-processing device is issued;
If the first binding position is not at the preset binding position,
The number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle is
If the preset number of sheets is greater than or equal to the preset number, the paper feed permission signal is issued when the binding process at the first binding position is completed,
4. The method according to 3 above, wherein when the number is less than the preset number, the sheet bundle is sent downstream of the binding processing unit without performing the binding process and the sheet delivery permission signal is issued. Processing equipment.

  5. 5. The post-processing device according to 3 or 4, further comprising an operation display unit that changes the preset number of sheets.

  6). 6. The post-processing apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5, wherein a half-folding unit that performs a half-folding process on the sheet bundle is disposed downstream of the binding processing unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the operation rate of an image forming system including a post-processing device that moves a single stapler and performs a binding process at a plurality of locations of a sheet bundle, and an image forming apparatus.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described.

  FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system.

  The illustrated image forming system includes an image forming apparatus G, a post-processing apparatus F1, and a cutting apparatus F2.

  The image forming apparatus G includes an image reading unit 1, an image writing unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a fixing unit 5, a paper discharging unit 6, a refeeding unit 7, and a control unit CG. Is equipped with an automatic document feeder D.

  The document d placed on the document table 101 of the automatic document feeder D is conveyed to the document discharge table 102 by the document conveyance unit, and an image on one or both sides of the document d being conveyed is subjected to an optical system and an image sensor. It is read by the image reading unit 1 having.

  The image signal obtained by reading is subjected to processing such as conversion, correction, and compression, and is stored as image data in a memory included in the control unit CG.

  The image writing unit 2 has an optical system including a laser light source and a polygon, and scans and exposes the surface of the photoconductor 3A of the image forming unit 3 with a laser beam based on output information sent from the control unit CG. A latent image is formed on the top.

  The image forming unit 3 includes a charging unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a cleaning unit, and the like around the photoreceptor 3A. The latent image formed on the photoreceptor 3A by the image writing unit 2 is developed by the developing unit. Develop to make a toner image.

  The toner image formed on the photoreceptor surface is transferred onto the paper P sent from the paper feeding unit 4 by the action of the transfer unit.

  The paper P carrying the toner image is sent to the fixing unit 5 and is heated under pressure to fix the toner image onto the paper P.

  The paper P that has been subjected to the fixing process by the fixing unit 5 is sent to the post-processing device F1 by the paper discharge unit 6 including a guide member, a conveyance roller, and the like.

  In the case of double-sided copying in which an image is also formed on the back side of the paper P, the paper P that has been subjected to the fixing process is sent to the paper refeeding unit 7 by the guide member of the paper discharge unit 6.

  The paper P sent to the paper re-feeding unit 7 is reversed and then sent again to the paper feeding unit for image formation on the back side.

  The post-processing device F1 includes a binding processing unit 10, a center folding unit 20, and a punching unit 30 inside, and includes a paper discharge table 40, a paper supply table 50, and a large-capacity paper discharge table 60 on the outside.

  The paper P that does not need to be post-processed is discharged as it is to the paper discharge tray 40 or the large-capacity paper discharge tray 60, and the paper P that needs to be post-processed is discharged after the predetermined post-processing. It is sent to the paper table 60 or the cutting device F2.

  The cutting device F2 is a device that performs saddle stitching processing and half-folding processing in the post-processing device F1 and aligns the edge of the bundle of sheets sent in a booklet state by cutting.

  The sheet bundle sent from the post-processing apparatus F1, that is, the booklet, stops at a position set so that the fore edge is located below the blade 71 of the cutting unit 70.

  Paper scraps generated by cutting are stored in the lower paper tray 72, and the booklets with the same edge are sequentially placed on the booklet storage tray 80.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the post-processing device F1.

  As indicated by the arrow a, the paper P that has traveled from the image forming apparatus G to the post-processing apparatus F1 travels on the paper transport path indicated by any of the arrows b, c, and f.

  The paper P traveling on the paper conveyance path indicated by the arrow b does not require post-processing as described above, while the paper P traveling on the paper conveyance path indicated by the arrow c or the arrow f is Post-processing is performed.

  A hole for a file is made by the punching unit 30 at the end of the paper P guided so as to travel along the arrow c, and the perforated paper P is ejected by the large-capacity paper discharge table 60 through the paper transport path indicated by the arrow h. To be discharged.

  The paper P guided so as to proceed with the arrow f is sent to the paper stacking base 11 of the binding processing unit 10 and is sequentially stacked until a predetermined number of sheets set for each job is reached, forming a paper bundle.

  The formed sheet bundle is moved by the transfer operation of the sheet placing table 11 for moving the sheet bundle in the direction of the arrow i, and the stop position is determined by the leading end regulating member 12 that regulates the leading end portion of the sheet bundle, and stops.

  Binding needles are applied to a plurality of stopped paper bundles by the stapler 13 of the binding processing unit 10 that moves in the depth direction of the drawing.

  In the case of a sheet bundle in which the binding needle is struck at the leading end, the sheet bundle after the binding process is sent to the large-capacity sheet discharge table 60 via the conveyance path indicated by the arrow g and is sequentially stacked.

  In the case of a sheet bundle in which the binding needle is bisected by the binding needle, that is, a sheet bundle in which the binding needle is hit on the middle folding line, the sheet bundle after the binding process is sent downward, and the position where the binding needle is hit is folded. The sheet 22 is placed on the sheet bundle placement table 21 so as to be positioned at the tip of the plate 22.

  Next, the binding position of the sheet bundle placed on the sheet bundle placing table 21 is pushed between the folding rollers 23 by the folding plate 22 moving in the direction of arrow j, and the sheet bundle is folded at the binding position. .

  The folding process performed on the sheet bundle in this way is called a middle folding process, and the folded sheet bundle is transferred in the direction of the arrow k and sent to the cutting apparatus F2 described above.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the stapler 13.

  The post-processing device F1 of the present invention performs binding processing by hitting binding needles at a plurality of locations of a bundle of sheets with a single movable stapler 13.

  Since the present invention exhibits a higher effect in a post-processing apparatus that performs a folding process on a sheet bundle after the binding process, a system that includes a folding process after the binding process will be described as an example.

  The stapler 13 includes a stitcher unit 131 having a mechanism for storing the binding needles and pushing out the stored binding needles one by one, and a known device having a clincher unit 132 that bends the leading end of the binding needle that protrudes through the sheet bundle. It is.

  The sheet bundle PP indicated by the alternate long and short dash line in the drawing is conveyed and stopped so that the middle folding line, which is the line on which the binding needle is struck, is at the binding position of the stapler 13.

  The stapler 13 is configured such that the stitcher unit 131 and the clincher unit 132 move together in the arrow x direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction y of the sheet bundle PP along the guide members 141, 142, 143, and 144. Binding needles are hit at a plurality of locations on the center folding line.

  FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the stapler moving means 150.

  The stapler moving unit 150 is a unit that moves the stapler 13 in a standby state at the home position set at the end or center of the sheet conveyance path to the binding position prior to the binding operation.

  A part of the timing belt 151 of the stapler moving means 150 that moves the stitcher 131 is fixed to the stitcher 131 of the stapler 13 that is guided and moved by the guide members 141 and 142 by a fixing member 152.

  Further, a detection member 153 indicating the position of the stitcher portion 131 is provided in the vicinity of the fixing member 152 on the timing belt 151, and the detection member 153 stops because the stitcher portion 131 performs a binding operation. It is detected by the binding position detection means 154, 155 provided at the position.

  The detection member 153 is also detected by a home position detection sensor (not shown) which is a sensor for stopping the stitcher unit 131 at the home position.

  The timing belt 151 reciprocates as shown by an arrow x in the figure by a stepping motor (not shown) through a driving wheel 156.

  That is, the control unit CF1 can control the moving speed and the moving amount of the stitcher unit by controlling the stepping motor.

  First, the stepping motor is rotated by a predetermined number of pulses, the stitcher unit is stopped from the home position to the first binding position for performing the first binding process, and after the first binding process is completed, the next binding is performed. The feeding is stopped at the binding position for processing.

  When the binding process at all the binding positions is completed, the stitcher unit is returned to the home position and stopped.

  The above-described binding position detection means 154 and 155 are sensors that detect whether or not the stitcher unit sent by controlling the stepping motor is stopped at the correct binding position. It detects the presence or absence of the occurrence of positional deviation.

  The clincher part 132 arranged to face the stitcher part 131 is also moved along the guide members 143 and 144 in FIG. 3 by the stapler moving means 150 together with the stitcher part 131 by a similar mechanism.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a sheet bundle subjected to the binding process.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the binding needles ST that have been struck at two places on the folding line L, and FIG. 5B shows the sheet bundle PP that has been subjected to the binding process and the folding process. FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control relationship of the post-processing device F1.

  The control unit CF1 is a computer system having a CPU, a memory MF1, an input / output interface, a drive circuit, and the like, and each control is performed by executing a predetermined program stored in the memory MF1.

  The control unit CG of the image forming apparatus G and the control unit CF2 of the cutting apparatus F2 are also similar computer systems with different scales from the control unit CF1 of the post-processing apparatus F1, and each control unit includes communication means TR1, 2, 3 It is possible to exchange information via

  In the drawing, the description of blocks that are not directly related to the description of the present invention is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of the first binding process control 100 performed by the controller CF1.

  When a job in which a binding processing mode is set is executed (step S1: Y) and a sheet bundle is formed in the binding processing unit 10, the stapler 13 is moved to the first binding position by the stapler moving unit 150. (Step S2).

  Next, the stapler 13 is driven into the sheet bundle by the stopped stapler 13 to perform the binding process (step S3).

  When it is clear from the detection signal sent from the binding position detecting means 154 that the stop position of the stapler 13 is a preset position (step S4: Y), the stapler is moved to the second binding position. (Step S5).

  In this example, the binding position is detected by detecting the stop position of the stapler. However, the binding position is not limited to this, and the binding position may be detected by detecting the binding needle after the binding process. .

  When it is clear from the detection signal sent from the binding position detection means 155 that the stop position of the stapler 13 is preset as the second binding position (step S6: Y), the second A binding process is executed (step S7).

  When the second binding process is completed, the stapler 13 is returned to the home position (step S8), the sheet bundle is sent out toward the center folding unit 20, and (step S10), and the sheet sending permission is given to the control unit CG of the image forming apparatus G. A signal is issued (step S10).

  If it is determined in step 4 that the stop position of the stapler 13 is not a preset position (step S4: N), the second binding process is not executed and the stapler 13 is returned to the home position. (Step S8), the sheet bundle is sent out toward the center folding unit 20, (Step S10), and a sheet delivery permission signal is sent to the control unit CG of the image forming apparatus G (Step S10).

  Similarly, if it is determined in step 6 that the stop position of the stapler 13 is not a preset position (step S6: N), the second binding process is not executed and the stapler 13 is set to the home position. Returning (step S8), the sheet bundle is sent out toward the center folding unit 20, (step S10), and a sheet delivery permission signal is sent to the control unit CG of the image forming apparatus G (step S10).

  FIG. 8 is different from the first binding process control 100 in the case of the second binding process control 200 in which the process is changed according to the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle when the first binding position is not at the preset binding position. It is a flowchart which shows.

  When a job in which a binding processing mode is set is executed (step S21: Y) and a sheet bundle is formed in the binding processing unit 10, the stapler 13 is moved to the first binding position by the stapler moving unit 150. (Step S22).

  When it is clear from the detection signal sent from the binding position detecting means 154 that the stop position of the stapler 13 is a preset position (step S23: Y), the staple is moved to the sheet by the stopped stapler 13. A binding process is performed on the bundle (step S24), and the stapler is moved to the second binding position (step S25).

  When it is clear from the detection signal sent from the binding position detection means 155 that the stop position of the stapler 13 is a position preset as the second binding position (step S26: Y), the second A binding process is executed (step S27).

  Next, the stapler 13 is returned to the home position (step S28), the sheet bundle is sent out toward the center folding part 20 (step S29), and a sheet sending permission signal is sent to the control unit CG of the image forming apparatus G (step S30). .

  If it is determined in step 23 that the stop position of the stapler 13 is not a preset position (step S23: N), the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle that is the target of the binding process. Is greater than or equal to a preset number (step S31).

  The set number is preset by the operation display unit 90 in FIG. 6 and can be changed. The set number of sheets is set in consideration of the thickness of the sheet P and the sheet type.

  If the result of determination in step S31 is that the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle is greater than or equal to the preset number PN (step S31: Y), the first binding process is executed (step S32). Without executing the second binding process, the stapler 13 is returned to the home position (step S28), the sheet bundle is sent out toward the center folding unit 20 (step S29), and the sheet is sent out to the control unit CG of the image forming apparatus G. A permission signal is issued (step S30).

  If the result of determination in step S31 is that the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle is less than the preset number PN (step S31: N), the first binding process is not executed and the stapler 13 is not executed. Is returned to the home position (step S28), the sheet bundle is sent out toward the half-folding portion 20 (step S29), and a paper feed permission signal is sent to the control unit CG of the image forming apparatus G (step S30).

  After it is determined in step S31 described above that the number of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle is less than the preset number PN (step S31: N), the processing of the sheet bundle up to step 30 constitutes the sheet bundle. If the number of sheets P is less than the preset number PN, this is based on the reason that there is no problem in the folding process that is the next processing step.

  If it is determined in step 26 that the second binding position is not a preset position (step S26: N), the stapler 13 is returned to the home position without performing the second binding process (step S28). ), The sheet bundle is sent out toward the center folding unit 20 (step S29), and a sheet delivery permission signal is issued to the control unit CG of the image forming apparatus G (step S30).

  As described above with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8, the post-processing device F1 of the present invention can be used even when it is determined that the binding process is not performed at a preset position of a sheet bundle in a certain sheet bundle. Control is performed so that the next sheet bundle is formed and bound without being stopped.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the operation rate of the image forming system including the post-processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus that move a single stapler to perform binding processing at a plurality of positions of the sheet bundle.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of an image forming system. It is a figure explaining a post-processing apparatus. It is a conceptual diagram of a stapler. It is a figure explaining a stapler moving means. It is a figure which shows the sheet | seat bundle in which the binding process was performed. It is a block diagram which shows the control relationship of a post-processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of 1st binding process control. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of 2nd binding process control.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Binding processing part 13 Stapler 20 Middle folding part 90 Operation display part 150 Stapler moving means 154,155 Binding position detection means CF1 Control part F1 Post-processing apparatus F2 Cutting apparatus G Image forming apparatus P Paper

Claims (6)

In a post-processing apparatus including a binding processing unit that stacks sheets sent from an image forming apparatus to form a sheet bundle and hits binding needles at a plurality of positions of the sheet bundle with a movable stapler.
A binding position detecting means for detecting whether or not the stapler is in a preset binding position that is a position for hitting the binding needle;
Based on the detection signal sent from the binding position detection means, it is determined whether or not the first binding position is the preset binding position after the first binding process, and is not the preset binding position. And a control unit that controls the binding processing unit so as to send the sheet bundle downstream of the binding processing unit without performing subsequent binding processing. Processing equipment. The controller is
After the last binding process of the sheet bundle is completed, a paper feed permission signal for permitting the image forming apparatus to feed the sheet to the post-processing device is issued;
2. The sheet delivery permission signal is output after the first binding process is completed when the first binding process is performed at a position other than a preset binding position. Post-processing device. In a post-processing apparatus including a binding processing unit that stacks sheets sent from an image forming apparatus to form a sheet bundle and hits binding needles at a plurality of positions of the sheet bundle with a movable stapler.
A binding position detecting means for detecting whether or not the stapler is in a preset binding position that is a position for hitting the binding needle;
Based on the detection signal sent from the binding position detection means, it is determined whether or not the first binding position is the preset binding position, and the determination result that the preset binding position is not obtained is obtained. If
When the number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle is equal to or larger than a preset number, the first binding process is performed, and the subsequent binding process is not performed. When the number is less than the preset number, the binding process is performed. And a control unit that controls the binding processing unit so as to send the sheet bundle downstream of the binding processing unit. The controller is
After the last binding process of the sheet bundle is completed, a paper feed permission signal for permitting the image forming apparatus to feed the sheet to the post-processing device is issued;
If the first binding position is not at the preset binding position,
The number of sheets constituting the sheet bundle is
If the preset number of sheets is greater than or equal to the preset number, the paper feed permission signal is issued when the binding process at the first binding position is completed,
4. The sheet feeding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the number is less than the preset number, the sheet bundle is sent downstream of the binding processing unit without performing a binding process, and the paper feed permission signal is output. Post-processing device. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an operation display unit configured to change the preset number of sheets. The post-processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a middle folding unit that performs a middle folding process on the sheet bundle downstream of the binding processing unit.

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